Members have the option to upload head shots that commonly show in various locations through-out the site. We suggest that these photos are cut-out and background removed leaving only the head and shoulder area. This gives the head shot a professional effect and allows us to reuse it effectively through-out the site.

In order to produce this effect you may use the instructions stated below. This article assumes you have Photoshop or similar image editing tools.

Step 1: Open the High Resolution image

Here is Leonard's "Mad Photo" in front of the trees. We've got to get him a razor.

Step 2: Select 150w x 170h Aspect Ratio Area

Using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, select an 150 x 170 aspect ratio area. Preset the aspect ratio using the Marquee Options Dialog. Select the "Constrained Aspect Ratio" as the style value. Select the preferred area.

Step 3: Crop, Index & Resize Image to 150w x 170h Pixels

1. Crop image. From the main menu select Image, then Crop.
2. Change color index to 256 colors. From the main menu select Image, then Mode, then Indexed color.
3. Select 256 colors

Step 4: Cut out Head Shot

1. Double click Lasso Tool
2. Uncheck Anti-Aliased setting
3. Select Lasso tool, then draw around the shoulders and head carefully avoiding the background and blended areas between head shot and background.
4. Tip : In Photoshop you may press Q to enter paint selection mode to clean up edges. Use the Pencil Tool, not the paint brush to clean up edges. Pixels that will be removed will appear in a dim red color. Edges may appear jagged and that is ok. Press Q again to exit this mode.
5. While in marquee selection mode, Save selection. From the main menu press Select, then Save Selection. Save as new channel.
6. Finally save your photo as a GIF image.

Ah a great head shot with the background removed! You can upload your photo when you sign-up or within the member account manager.

 

Tips

• Try using a picture with a simple, plain background if possible.
• If you do use a plain background of a single color not found in the foreground objects, you can have your photo-editing software treat it as transparent, effectively removing it.